Journal article
Cost-effectiveness and budget impact of topical antimicrobial polyhexamethylene biguanide with a surfactant betaine on wound bed preparation in venous leg ulcers: An analysis in Australia from a community perspective
Wounds International, Vol.17(1), pp.12-18
2026
Abstract
Background and aim: Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) constitute 60–80% of leg ulcerations, often becoming chronic and imposing significant economic burdens, with Australia spending more than AUD$3 billion annually on chronic wound care. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of Prontosan Solution (PS), a biofilm-disrupting and cleansing agent, compared to standard saline solution for treating chronic VLUs from an Australian healthcare perspective. Methods: A Markov model was developed in MS Excel to simulate 1-year costs and health-related quality of life (QALYs) for VLU patients treated with PS versus saline. The model used monthly cycles, incorporating clinical parameters from European studies, deemed applicable to Australia. Costs included routine care and complications, derived from Australian literature. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) assessed parameter uncertainty, and the model was validated using unpublished randomised controlled trial (RCT) data and expert input. Results: PS yielded 0.0087 additional QALYs and cost savings of $295.23 per patient compared to saline. PSA indicated a 98.80% probability of PS being cost-effective at a $25,000 WTP threshold. For 121,834 annual VLU cases, PS could save approximately $35,969,051.82, or $17,984,525.91 for non-healing wounds. Conclusion: PS is cost-effective and cost-saving compared to saline for VLU treatment, offering improved patient outcomes and substantial budget impact in Australia.
Details
- Title
- Cost-effectiveness and budget impact of topical antimicrobial polyhexamethylene biguanide with a surfactant betaine on wound bed preparation in venous leg ulcers: An analysis in Australia from a community perspective
- Authors
- Pinaki Ghosh - B. Braun Medical Industries (Malaysia)Alison Vallejo - University of the Sunshine CoastSumita Poopalalingam - B. Braun Medical Industries (Malaysia)
- Publication details
- Wounds International, Vol.17(1), pp.12-18
- Publisher
- Wounds International
- Date published
- 2026
- ISSN
- 2044-0057
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991246798702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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